Hi all, I haven't meant to be quiet, just have been for some reason.

O doesn't have chicken pox nor HFM. He had impetigo. I was dubious about the doctor's diagnosis since it didn't look like any of the internet pictures of impetigo and it came on so suddenly, but, the antibiotics really did their thing. He broke out suddenly in red bumps all over his arms, legs and butt and then had a few everywhere else. They clearly hurt because of the degree of crankiness that resolved with Tylenol.

He has been working on the concept of a regular nap. We've gotten to the point that he has now (lifetime) taken 15 naps in his crib and the post-lunch nap is common enough that I dream about them expectantly, but, absent enough that he's currently lying on the floor watching Sesame Street since that at least gives him some calm time. (Note: I am pretty excited that he's lying on his back on the floor for an extended time without any signs of aspiration.)

He has also been working on banging his head when frustrated. I don't like it! And, it combines with his big head to worry me about autism. I don't think that he interacts autistically, but, I worry.


Kai -- As you know, we deal with pretty extreme reflux. Meds make a world of difference and have fairly minimal side effects. If you can control it with your diet, great, but, if not, I'd try not to be afraid of meds. I'm sure your DP knows more about options than I do. The meds that O takes reduce the acidity level so that he doesn't do damage when he refluxes.

O and I went to IKEA for breakfast earlier this week and he had a pretty good meal-in-public meal. So, let me know when you want to try that. I'm pretty booked for the next 2 weeks, but, I should be available again by the 2nd week in July.

A -- I hope that the CPAP machine works. I've known several people who found great improvements across their entire lives after getting one. My sister (RT) says to make sure that your mask fits really well and is comfortable.

Trying -- We've found that creams just make any problems worse (for O). One thing that was critical with O's recent issues was making sure that the antibiotic cream was completely dry as well before putting on the diaper. We stick with cloth diapers and water for cleaning during the day, then we use a really mild soap about every other day in the bath. As long as he avoids hospitals and bacterial infections it has worked for us. In your case, the only thing I can recommend is letting him walk/crawl around with a naked butt for about 30 min everytime you do a diaper change. I'd also consider olive oil and/or coconut oil instead of all the fancy creams. Again, I'd use them sparingly and let them dry (completely soak in) before covering. Good luck!

nanners -- O used to love back floats and doesn't like them anymore as well. I work on a bit of kicking with him and otherwise let him swim on his front these days. I find that the activity of kicking keeps him occupied on his back for awhile, but, then he starts to roll over or try to sit up (stick his legs straight up). My sister says that it's developmentally appropriate for them to stop wanting to be on their backs in the water and that it goes against their instincts to lie back when in water.

BBB -- Good job on the wills.

My DW is supposed to be writing one for us, but, it keeps getting pushed aside by other things. For a long time we weren't writing it down because we didn't know who to put down as responsible for O if something happens to both of us. I think that we have finally decided to put down a friend of ours from church. She loves him and has been very supportive of us (even brought me safe food several times when he was first in the hospital). It's not perfect as our families will likely be offended and she has indicated that although she wishes to be a parent she doesn't want to be a single parent. But, nothing other than both of us living long enough for him to have his own kids is perfect, so, we need to write down the "best solution we can come up with".


Swell -- Are you almost there?


In other news for us, I've signed up to run a half marathon during our vacation in Jan, so, now I have to start running again. And we've got accommodations booked, too. (BBB -- BWV-SV 1bdrm).

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TTC #1: 2003 - 2010
Licensed foster parents
IVF #4: Miracle Baby O born April 2011
TTC #2: FET Oct 2012, bfp, no heartbeat, , finally cleared to try again Feb 2013